Hi, Found this forum while searching about sandrail / rail buggy's. I don't have one or know much about them *yet* but am really wanting to get one. I really want to find a mostly complete one that needs some work for a project, maybe a winter project for cheap.

I still have a lot of questions and am still researching. One question I have is what is the difference between a 3 rib and 6 rib or other common bus tranys?

By the way I'm from south west ohio.

Glad you found the site,,you're gonna learn a lot. The 3 rib is older and more prone to brake but lower geared 5.38 compared to 4.56. Nice for stock engines with bigger tires. The 6 rib is tougher , can handle beefed up engines better and works great with 31's in tires . The 5 rib is somewhere in the middle. This is just enough info to hold you till some of our smarter folks chime in. Happy buggying and good luck finding a project. There are several available from our other members.

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If your clutch ain't slippin,, you probably got it adjusted right!!!!!

A 3 rib is a 5.38 ratio which is commonally refered to the weakest of the bus trannys its found in I believe 1970 to 1973 buses
A 5 rib is a 4.86 ratio known as the pyramid case which is stronger than the 3 rib with a stronger 1st gear its found in 1974-75 buses a fairly strong tranny
A 6 rib or 091 comes with a 4.56 ratio and is the strongest of the 3 trannys and found in 76-79 buses

All 3 trannys have a weak link and that is the reverse gear all the trannys are I.D. by the # of ribs on top of the case hope this helps

Hey Bug I guess we were thinking the same thing at the same time

I figured it was something like that just wasn't sure. Thanks for the fast reply's. Looks like theres a few other people around here from ohio.

I sure hope Ill be able to find a buggy I can afford before to long. Ill be using it mostly on road around town, At least until I find some nice offroad locations around here lol.

hi, new to site also form ohio so we have something in common lol, just got a buggy and so far its been fun, look around in the for sale area seems to be some decent deals on buggys and parts

Welcome to the site guys!

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Jim

Welcome to the site. Its the best place to get all the info you need to make a wise decision on the Buggy you buy. Use the search feature to get a lot of input for each question you have. In addition to the standard buss O91 trans there is the 84 and later Vanagon side shift 6 rib that has a much stronger reverse gear.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

what part of ohio are you from?

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Maybe you should chug on over to mamby pamby land....

Springboro, Sort of between Dayton and Cincinnati.

This might sound stupid but are the bus transitions manual or auto? When looking at them I see them listed under manual but I don't see clutch pedals in most peoples buggy's. Or a tach for that matter. Thanks.

They are manual transmissions. Some people run Autos however not many. Most people dont run tachs. We shift by feel. I have a tach in mine however I rarely look at at. Look a little closer for the clutch pedal. Most of us use a combo hydraulic setup with both the brake and clutch pedal on the same base.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

Yeah I just wasn't looking close enough. Well that may be a bit of a problem since I don't know how to drive stick haha. Could always learn though.

Welcome to the site there are alot of good knowledgeable people on here.

Is Whatever just a name or a lifelong motto??????lol

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WHEN IN DOUBT DRINK ANOTHER BEER!!!!!!!!!!

Nah kind of a long story with that one.

So anyone know any good hiding places for really cheap buggies? I'm looking in the sub-$1000 range and honestly under $750. I and truly on a super extreme budget. I wouldn't mind something that needs put back together or needs an extreme face lift as long as the essentials are there and in ok shape.. I have seen a couple under 750 that need work but where either already sold or to far away.

Are there any other good places to look for good deals on stuff?

Have you tried ebay?

Been looking. I think I may just have to wait a little untill I have some more money to spend on this.

there are a few on lexington,ky "craigslist" under rv's.....lousville too.......

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Mike
Got Honda?